May 20, 2026 – Never Forget Why You are Homeschooling

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

When You Question Your Sanity

Things like stress, lack of rest, unrealistic expectations of ourselves, our spouses, or our children, time pressures, and difficult circumstances can all cause us to forget why we are homeschooling. When others question us, or we question our own sanity, its time to remember why.

We are doing a good work by:

Obeying God’s Commands – to remain set apart and separate from the world and its ways (John 17:15-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

He Rewards Obedience:

• Reward of Success (Psalm 1, daily discipleship in His Word means everything he does will prosper!)
• Reward of Freedom (children have freedom from fear, anxiety, and conformity, and freedom to be who God created by pursuing interests, learning at their own pace = thriving students)
• Reward Shows in the Research (homeschoolers excel across the board: NHERI.org Research Facts Sheet) Fast Facts on Homeschooling | National Home Education Research Institute

Providing Godly Education and Discipleship

Education is not according to the world’s philosophies, but according to Christ (Colossians 2:8). We can make disciples and teach them to observe Christ’s teachings (Matthew 28:18-20). Because of Godly discipleship, they retain their faith as they grow. 87% of homeschooled young adults continue in their faith into adulthood.

Fighting The Good Fight of Faith and Representing Christ

At home they are able to flee evil and pursue righteousness and be ambassadors for Christ (1 Timothy 6:11-12; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

Providing Individualized Instruction & Positive Socialization

We are partnering with God to prepare His children for every good work He will give them to do as they remain pure and unspotted from the world (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 4:12; Proverbs 13:20; James 1:27).

Avoiding Harmful Consequences

Our children are free from most mental health issues, and get to avoid ungodly propaganda, humanism, perversion, oppression, and intolerance of Christianity.

God continues to bless and reward our collective obedience to keep His children Home. Where They Belong.

~Deborah

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GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

Alexis Selby Carrico

Homeschool mom of 16 years and creator of the JAM with Latin Classroom

Homeschooling rarely begins as a casual decision. It is rooted in conviction—a desire to shape not only what your children learn, but who they become. Yet in the daily rhythm of assignments and responsibilities, it is easy to lose sight of that original purpose.

You did not choose homeschooling to replicate a classroom at home. You chose it to cultivate character, pursue truth, and guide your children with intentionality. Whether your motivation was faith, flexibility, or academic excellence, those reasons matter more than any checklist.

There will be days when progress feels slow. Lessons may go unfinished and attitudes may need correction. On those days, remember: education is not a race—it is formation. The conversations you have, the habits you build, and the values you model will last far beyond any assignment.

Homeschooling gives you the freedom to adjust to your child’s pace and needs. It allows you to go deeper, pause when necessary, and teach with purpose. More importantly, it places you at the center of your child’s intellectual and moral development.

When discouragement comes, return to your “why.” Write it down. Speak it often. Let it guide your decisions and steady your heart. The goal is not perfection—it is faithfulness.

As a homeschool mom of 16 years, I created JAMwithLatin.com to offer family support in one very important and sometimes overlooked subject. JAM includes short daily videos, guided checklists, and family-friendly access. Built around the Henle Latin series, it equips students with strong grammar skills while helping parents confidently lead at home.

Learn more and explore courses at:
👉 JAM with Latin
🌐 https://JAMwithLatin.com

Stacy Farrell

HomeschoolAdventure.com

Why Did I Ever Think I Could Do This?

Some mornings the laundry piles higher than the textbooks, the math lesson dissolves into tears (yours or theirs), and you wonder, “Why did I ever think I could do this?”

In such moments, it’s time to pause and remember why you homeschool.

No One Said it Would Be Easy (If they did, they lied.)

You didn’t choose this path because it was easy. You chose it because you sensed a holy calling:

• to disciple your children daily
• to acknowledge Biblical truth in every subject
• and to foster in your children a love of learning and a deep love for the Lord. 

You’re Pursuing Something Precious

You wanted more than test scores and transcripts. 

You wanted: 

• heart-to-heart conversations at the kitchen table
• spontaneous prayers when life gets hard
• and the joy of watching your children discover God’s world together as a family.

When the days grow long and the doubts creep in . . . go back to that original vision. 

Take a Moment to Reflect

Remember the deep love that stirred you to protect their hearts, cultivate their curiosity, and prepare them to fulfill God’s unique purpose for their lives.

If you need fresh encouragement, here are two reflections to help you refocus:

• Preparing Our Children to Fulfill God’s Purpose for Their Lives
• Who Is Raising the Children?

You’re not just teaching academics—you are shaping eternal souls in the safety of your home. 

The work is hard, but it is holy. And we are all blessed by your labor.

Thank you. ❤️

With love and appreciation, and

With His love,

Stacy 

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About the author

Surprised by Jesus, Stacy went from an unmarried, childless, thirty-something career woman to a Christ-following wife of more than thirty years with two sons she homeschooled K-12.

Author of more than twenty books—including the award-winning Philosophy Adventure and Food Prep Guide: A Plan for Money-Saving, Self-Sustaining Abundance in Hard Times—she loves to equip and encourage homeschool families. Visit her at HomeschoolAdventure.com and at FoodPrepGuide.com.

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Adam and Dianne Riveiro

Pass on Your Love of Homeschooling to Your Kids

It happened again last week while we were hunting for furniture at one o’clock on a weekday afternoon. Dianne and I, with our nine-year-old daughter Peyton in tow, were out looking for a new living room couch.

That’s when it happened . . . again.

You know what I’m about to say, right? A woman looked at our daughter and said, “Are you off school today?” For the life of me, I don’t understand why people ask this question, but they do. Often.

But my memory of this interaction is not annoyance at the question, but rather my daughter Peyton’s answer. She looked the woman in the eyes (so much for homeschoolers being socially awkward!) and said, “No, I’m homeschooled!” Peyton smiled a big grin and kept walking along.

It all happened so fast that I really didn’t take in what happened until later. Peyton likes homeschooling! She felt no need to apologize, hang her head low, or avoid the topic altogether. She enjoys homeschooling and all that it has to offer her.

Make sure that you never, even unconsciously, hint to your children that they are receiving “less than” by being homeschoolers. It’s quite the opposite! Help them to understand all the joys and blessings that they receive by having a mom and dad who make homeschooling a priority. It makes the school day . . . and the occasional trip to the furniture store, much easier!

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About the author

Pastor Adam and Dianne Riveiro live in Easton, Massachusetts, where Adam serves as the pastor of Liberty Baptist Church. Together, they’ve authored several books, including their newest book Ministering to YOUR Children with Special Needs, published by Ready Scribe Publications. Parents to four amazing kids—Bethany, Kaylee, AJ, and Peyton—the Riveiros are deeply committed to helping special needs families discover joy and contentment through Christ.

You started homeschooling for a reason. Perhaps you knew before you had children that you wanted to be their main educator. Maybe you decided to take them out of school after experiences with bullying, peer pressure, or curriculum issues. Whatever your reasoning, you decided homeschooling was the best option, and it still is. There will be times, however, when the difficulty of homeschooling will make you question your decision. This is the time that your reasons for homeschooling will have to be strong enough to overpower your desire to take the easy way out. SchoolhouseTeachers.com can help outfit you in full armor against the challenges, doubts, and discouragement. Did you know that we have courses for parents? Check out the Just for Parents page on SchoolhouseTeachers.com, where you will find resources like Homeschooling through the Rough Spots, Help Me Stay the Course, and Growing in Homeschool Confidence.